Study smart with techniques like the Feynman method, flashcards and active recall to help you break down complex topics.
Smarter ways to study. Photo: ShutterstockWhile it is essential to study hard, it is just as important to study smartly and efficiently. Check out a few learning methods to help you retain information more effectively and have a better educational experience.
1. Break information down into simple parts
A good way to learn complex topics is to break them into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces. This is the theory behind the Feynman technique, founded by Richard Feynman. The Nobel laureate in Physics believed the key to truly understanding something was to simplify it. He laid out four steps:
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Write down all the basic concepts of the topic you wish to learn to give you a clear goal and idea.
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Imagine trying to teach a child about your topic. The concept needs to be simplified and described in the easiest way possible so they can understand.
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Write down your simplified explanation. Ensure your notes are free of complicated or confusing terms. If anything needs clarification, return to the source material and try to understand it again.
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Organise your notes. You could use mind maps, timelines, or even charts to streamline the concepts until they’re clear as day. Review them at least a few times a year so you don’t forget.
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2. Repetition using flashcards
The Leitner system is a study method based on spaced repetition. The idea is that our brains will better remember material if we revisit it repeatedly over time, instead of trying to learn everything all at once.
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Make flashcards for the topics. Write the concept on one side and the explanation on the other.
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Find three boxes or storage bins and label them with a designated study period. For example, the flashcards in box 1 will be the ones you are most familiar with, and the ones in box 3 will be the most confusing ones.
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Decide how frequently you want to study each box. For example, box 1 can be marked “twice a week”. Box 3, which has terms you are more confused about, can be labelled “daily”. All the cards will start in box 1.
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Begin reviewing each card. If you answer it correctly, move it to box 2. If you miss it, put it back in box 1.
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Continue this method whenever you review your flashcards. If you get a card correct, move it to the next box. If you get it wrong, put it back in the previous one, where you will review it more frequently.
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3. The blurting method
The blurting method is a practical example of active recall, where you actively retrieve information from your memory. This method requires less organisation and asks you to remember things very quickly.
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Read the source material until you understand the basics.
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Write everything you remember from your revision.
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Read through your notes and see what you missed by referencing the source material.
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Add the information you missed in a different colour so it’s easy to see what you need to remember next time. Repeat this process until you feel confident with the material.